The first book of golf instruction

Golf instruction, like most aspects of the game, has a long and interesting past. One glimpse into the past includes this book:

It's the first book of golf instruction (and the first book of prose devoted entirely to the game of golf). Written by "A Keen Hand" who is H.B. Farnie, who published this first edition in 1857 under a pseudonym. Perhaps he was nervous that golf instruction would not be well received? Well, Farnie had the right idea, and obviously had his finger on the pulse of what was popular in golf in 19th century Scotland. Farnie wrote several guide books, was an editor at a newspaper, and was later a journalist in London.

Here's a look at the beautiful red cloth cover, lettered in gilt. Rare to find in its complete original cloth covers.

You can own this piece of golf history, if you register to bid with www.pbagalleries.com and place your bid of $4,000 or higher. A fair price to pay to expand your golf library with a key work in the history of the game. (A lesser copy last sold at auction for over $6,000! A copy in great shape like this is a steal at $4,000.)

Click here for more information on this lot: Lot 110: Golfer's Manual 1857

Don't wait too long! The sale will go live on Thursday, March 5th, 2015 starting at 11:00 am Pacific Time.

The Chicago Golf Club: The Oldest Golf Club in North America

In the year 1850, there were only 15 golf courses in the world, all in the UK (in fact all except for the Royal Blackheath Golf Club were in Scotland!). With the invention of the gutta percha golf ball, and its relative ease of production, the game of golf expanded rapidly across the world. By the year 1900, the number of worldwide golf courses had exploded to 2,000.

The Chicago Golf Club was established in 1892, during this period of expansion. It is the oldest golf club in North America, and hosted the U.S. Open in 1897. It was the third U.S. Open ever, and during the early years the U.S. Open was dominated by English and Scottish golfers, many of whom were playing their very first game in the United States.

That brings me to this beautiful sterling silver trophy produced by American silversmith, Gorham:

Lot 552 in the PBA Galleries Auction of Fine Golf Books & Memorabilia: The Library of John Burns, Part II - with Additions.

Lot 552: Gorham silver trophy from Chicago Golf Club

The hallmark from the premier silversmith Gorham Manufacturing Company (Lion, Anchor, Gothic Letter G), which was founded in Rhode Island in 1831, can be seen clearly stamped on the bottom:

And here you can see its elegant design, with floral border details:

Don't miss your opportunity to own this trophy from early American golf history, and others in the PBA Galleries auction, to be held on Thursday, March 5th, 2015 beginning at 11 a.m. Pacific Time.

The full online auction catalog can be found here:
Sale 555: Fine Golf Books & Memorabilia: The Library of John Burns, Part II with Additions

Any questions about auctions, buying and selling, antiquarian books or collectibles? Give me a call or shoot me an email!

Erin Escobar
Antiquarian Books, Fine Art & Golf History Specialist
PBA Galleries, Midwest Division
(608) 819-6955 
erin@pbagalleries.com
www.linkedin.com/in/erinantiquarianbookexpert 
Meet the Expert: Erin Escobar, Midwest Representative

Did the Dutch invent Golf?

Yes, it appears they did. There were a few key differences to their version of the game: It was called "kolf" which simply means "club" in Dutch. Also, they played on ice, so the craftsmanship of their club was of little importance...the ball just slid, and slid, down the ice towards a post, not a hole.

So, yes, the game of golf originated in a simpler form, by the Dutch. Scotland was a robust trading partner with the Netherlands from the 14th to the 17th centuries, and it appears they not only traded goods, but also pastimes. The Scottish sheep traders brought golf back home with them, but in 1457, King James II issued a ban on the game. The decree was published, marking the first documented mention of the game of golf.

The importance of art, books, and golf implements cannot be overstated in the scholarship of the history of golf. That is why I enjoy doing what I do: Cataloging rare golf books and golf memorabilia to sell at auction!

An example of a 19th century Dutch kolf club can be obtained at auction on Thursday, March 5th, 2015 at PBA Galleries' Golf Auction. Check out lot 442, a club from the collection of Golf Collector Society Member #7.
19th Century Dutch kolf club

A full online catalog can be found here (it takes a moment to load all 627 lots!)
Sale 555 - Fine Golf Books & Memorabilia: The Library of John Burns, Part II with Additions 

If ever you have a question about auctions, buying or selling antiquarian items, golf history, or your library, give me a call or shoot me an email.

Erin Escobar
Antiquarian Books, Fine Art & Golf History Specialist
PBA Galleries, Midwest Division
(608) 819-6955 
www.linkedin.com/in/erinantiquarianbookexpert 
Meet the Expert: Erin Escobar, Midwest Representative